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The Dangerous by L.A. Vaught

The Dangerous by L.A. Vaught

ABOUT THIS COLLECTION  

The subject of phrenology, or the idea that a person’s intellect, personality, and character can be determined by the shape of his or her skull, is already bizarre, but L.A. Vaught (1860-1903) took it to unique extremes with his 1902 “Vaught’s Practical Character Reader.”  This self-published volume of 257 pages, with illustrations on nearly every page (five of which are offered here), is one of the most unintentionally funny books ever produced. Where phrenology focuses only on skull shape and bumps to read character, Vaught’s “research” allowed him to add facial features to the list. He lays out his 42 elements of human nature (such as acquisitiveness, slovenliness, benevolence, pugnacity, etc.) and explains how they can be “read” in people’s heads, noses, ears, and chins. “Its facts can be completely demonstrated by all who will take the unprejudiced pains to do so,” Vaught states in the introduction. “It is ready for use. It is practical. Use it.”

 

COLLECTION DETAILS

  • Series title: Phrenology Diagrams
  • Series size: 05 artworks
  • Edition: Limited edition of 1000
  • Proof of Ownership: Certification on the Ethereum blockchain under the ERC1155 protocol. Each artwork is delivered privately and directly to collectors as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that guarantee proof of ownership.
  • Format: Pieces consist of PNG files sized 2160x3840 pixels - 150 dpi.
  • Medium: Illustration
  • Artwork Material: Illustration paper
  • Contract Address: 0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e
  • ID: 2749212597480566...

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

These illustrations are the only known artistic output by L.A. (Louis Allen) Vaught, and they are as eccentric as his theories: “The higher the crown the more pride. The finer the hair the finer the brain,” just to name two of many. His system of "character reading" was part of the 19th century’s New Thought movement, a loose grouping of self-help theories designed to bring success to life. A Chicagoan, Vaught made a business out of his theories. He started the Chicago Institute of Phrenology, which offered a course for $100, along with a "Phrenological Typewritten Examination" ($6.00), and a "Complete Typewritten Life Guide" ($10.00).  It also published Phrenological News to keep up with the latest in character reading.

 

COLLECTION CREDITS

  • Historical curatorship: HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
  • Artwork: Louis Allen Vaught
  • Year of original publication: 1902
  • Post-production: HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
  • Digital art supervisor: Marie-Lou Desmeules
  • Editorial: Braden Phillips
  • Historical research: Evangelos Rosios, Braden Phillips
  • Executive production: Victor Zabrockis

 

RIGHTS OVERVIEW

  • Source of artwork: Library of Congress
  • Underlying work rights: PD Worldwide
  • Digital copyrights: No Additional Rights

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